Nov 21, 2024  
LSU Shreveport 2024-25 Catalog 
    
LSU Shreveport 2024-25 Catalog

Computer Science (Digital and Interactive Design), BS


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The Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science qualifies students for employment with both industry and government agencies. This includes any organization that uses computer-based technologies or develops and deploys these technologies and their software.

Each student receives a core in Computer Science coursework. In addition, each concentration provides additional coursework in a domain that allows the graduate to effectively apply computer technology to solve significant problems and challenges in that domain. These courses may be within or outside the Department.

Currently, there are four concentrations in the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science program:

  • Digital and Interactive Design: developed by the faculty of Digital Arts and Computer Science. The program is designed to prepare students to work on the technical side of computer interactive mobile graphics/visual effects in a variety of digital media fields.
  • Information Systems: This degree focuses on business systems, including networks, databases, and approved business courses.
  • Cyber Security and Networking: Developed in cooperation with the Cyber Information Technology Division at BPCC. Coursework focuses on network and information security and approved Criminal Justice courses.
  • Software Development: An ABET accredited degree focused on the design, implementation and delivery of software solutions. Accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org.

Program Educational Objectives: ABET describes program objectives as: “broad statements that describe what graduates are expected to attain within a few years after graduation.”

The Department of Computer Science updated the following program objectives in cooperation with our CS Advisory Committee in 2018, and from a 2019 survey and 2019-2020 ABET criteria updates.

Objective 1: LSUS graduates will remain current in their chosen careers through lifelong learning.
Objective 2: LSUS graduates will successfully use and apply new technologies.
Objective 3: LSUS graduates will successfully advance in their careers through increasing levels of responsibility and technical complexity.
Objective 4: LSUS graduates will be capable of communicating effectively with technical and non-technical groups/individuals.

Student Outcomes: ABET describes student outcomes as “what students are expected to know and be able to do by the time of graduation. These relate to the knowledge, skills, and behaviors that students acquire as they progress through the program.”

The Department of Computer Science set the following student outcomes for the ABET-accredited BS in Computer Science (Software Development):

  • Graduates of the program will be able to analyze a complex computing problem and to apply principles of computing and other relevant disciplines to identify solutions.
  • Graduates of the program will be able to design, implement, and evaluate a computing-based solution to meet a given set of computing requirements in the context of the program’s discipline.
  • Graduates of the program will be able to communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts.
  • Graduates of the program will be able to recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles.
  • Graduates of the program will function effectively as a member or leader of a team engaged in activities appropriate to the program’s discipline

All concentrations in the BS in Computer Science will also develop the following student outcome:

  • Graduates will be able to apply computer science theory and software development fundamentals to produce computing-based solutions.

The Digital Interactive Design Environment was developed in cooperation with the Digital Arts faculty at LSUS. This environment prepares the student to work in the technical side of content creation in a variety of digital media fields.

Computer Science Articulation Agreements with Bossier Parish Community College (BPCC)


LSUS and BPCC have signed an articulation agreement that guarantees transferability of a set of courses from the six degree programs offered through the Division of Cyber Information Technology at BPCC and the CIS degree offered by the Department of Computer Science at LSUS. No more than 60 hours can be transferred from BPCC toward a bachelor’s degree at LSUS.

Current information for all six articulations can be found on the LSUS website under Computer Science. Students who choose their electives to match the articulation agreements are guaranteed that their specific courses and requirements will transfer. The following degrees are involved:

BPCC Degree
Associate of Applied Science in:
LSUS Degree
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science:
Projected Hours
Transferred
Computer Information Systems Information Systems concentration 59
Information Network Security Specialist Network Security concentration 59
Information Network Specialist Information Systems concentration 50
Information Programmer Analyst Information Systems concentration 50
Information Systems Administration Specialist Information Systems concentration 47
Web Analyst Programmer Information Systems concentration 47

2+2+1 Integrated MSCST Program


The 2+2+1 Integrated MSCST Program is designed for qualified undergraduate students from other educational institutions with which LSUS has a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and who wish to earn the Master of Science in Computer Systems Technology (MSCST) degree at LSUS.

To earn the MSCST degree, students must first complete two years of undergraduate study at their home institution (non-LSUS). Students then apply for admission to the 2+2+1 Integrated MSCST Program.

As they will be admitted as undergraduate students, they must submit an undergraduate admissions application and have an undergraduate GPA of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale or equivalent. They must also meet LSUS requirements for admission as a transfer student. International applicants must also provide proof of English proficiency as per LSUS language requirements for international students. Their home institution will forward an official transcript to LSUS.

In years three and four, students admitted to the program enroll in courses at LSUS as advised and approved by the Director of the MSCST Program. Students may take approved graduate courses in the fourth year and up to six credits may be presented towards both undergraduate and graduate degrees. The undergraduate degree will be awarded by LSUS. If LSUS undergraduate degree requirements are not met after year four, the student cannot continue in the 2+2+1 Integrated MSCST program. In the fourth year, the students must also complete a graduate application by the application deadline for the MSCST program. 

In year five, after having been officially admitted to the MSCST program, students are expected to complete the remaining graduate courses for the MSCST program at LSUS. Up to 12 graduate credits taken at the student’s home institution may be applied towards the MSCST degree, provided that no more than 6 of these credits were applied towards the student’s undergraduate degree. At the end of the fifth year, LSUS will award the MSCST degree to students who meet all degree requirements. 

3+1+1 PROGRAM


The 3 + 1 + 1 Integrated MSCST Program is designed for qualified undergraduate students from other educational institutions with which LSUS has a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and who wish to earn the Master of Science in Computer Systems Technology (MSCST) degree at LSUS.

To earn the MSCST degree, students must first complete three years of undergraduate study at their home institution (non-LSUS). Students then apply for admission to the 3+1 +1 Integrated MSCST Program.

As they will be admitted as undergraduate students, they must submit an undergraduate admissions application and have an undergraduate GPA of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale or equivalent. They must also meet LSUS requirements for admission as a transfer student. International applicants must also provide proof of English proficiency as per LSUS language requirements for international students. Their home institution will forward an official transcript to LSUS.

In year four, students admitted to the program enroll in undergraduate or graduate courses at LSUS as advised and approved by the Director of the MSCST Program. The undergraduate degree will be awarded by the students’ home institution, provided they meet all degree requirements required. If these requirements are not met and the degree is not conferred after year four, the student cannot continue in the 3+1 +1 Integrated MSCST program. Students must also complete a graduate application by the application deadline for the MSCST program.

In year five, after having been officially admitted to the MSCST program, students are expected to complete the remaining graduate courses for the MSCST program at LSUS. Up to 12 graduate credits taken at the student’s home institution may be applied towards the MSCST degree, provided that no more than 6 of these credits were applied towards the student’s undergraduate degree. At the end of the fifth year, LSUS will award the MSCST degree to students who meet all degree requirements.

4 + 1 PROGRAM


An LSUS Computer Science undergraduate student in his/her junior or senior year who has at least a 3.0 Undergraduate GPA may apply for admission to the accelerated 5- year BS/MSCST program and may receive credit for 600-level graduate courses, six hours of which may count toward both undergraduate and graduate degrees. The student must complete requirements for the undergraduate degree in consecutive regular semesters and must satisfy all graduate admissions requirements for full admission to the graduate program after receiving the B.S. degree.

University Requirement


^FRESHMAN SEMINAR: Required of all first-time freshmen and all transfer students with fewer than 30 total semester hours of credit.

Credit Hours: 3


General Education Requirements


English Composition


Social and Behavioral Sciences*


*See General Education Course Requirements  under DEGREE REQUIREMENTS.

Mathematics


Natural Sciences*


*See General Education Course Requirements  under DEGREE REQUIREMENTS.

Humanities*


*See General Education Course Requirements  under DEGREE REQUIREMENTS.

Fine/Performing Arts*


*See General Education Course Requirements  under DEGREE REQUIREMENTS.

Credit Hours: 39


Digital Arts sequence


Choose 12 credit hour(s) from DA 300 and 400-level courses excluding DA 315 , DA 450 DA 495 , DA 498 , and DA 499 .

Credit Hours: 76


Electives


  • Free electives 3 Credit Hour(s)

Credit Hours: 3


Total Credit Hours: 121


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